India keep semis dream alive with easy win over Pakistan

Chasing down a paltry 104 for six, India reached to 106 for one off 16.4 overs, behind a superb unbeaten 54 from 20-year-old opener Poonam Raut.

The left-hander stroked six fours off just 51 balls and shared an unbroken 73-run stand for the second wicket with the prolific Mithali Raj who hammered an impressive run-a-ball 33.

Pakistan’s only look in came when Sulakshana Naik was run out for 16 at 27 for one in the sixth over following good work by Asmavia Iqbal, but Raut and Raj combined to quickly erase any thoughts of a win.

The defeat for Pakistan eliminated them from the tournament following their frustrating one-run loss to Sri Lanka on Thursday.

Earlier, they had failed to post a competitive total after winning the toss and choosing to bat first at Warner Park.

Captain Sana Mir top scored with a run-a-ball 42 which included five fours but the rest of the batting crumbled as leg-spinner Priyanka Roy wreaked havoc with three for 19.

They lost wickets steadily to fall to 45 for five in the 10th over before Mir added an important 53 for the sixth wicket with Urooj Mumtaz who finished 19 not out.

Mir was Roy’s third victim at the 19th over as Pakistan failed to muster a total of note.